Chapter 37: Feeling Down

Over the river and through the woods, the party of four ran along. There was no way to keep foes away, and once in a while a bomb-

Boom!

Clara carried Jasson and Petra, one over each shoulder, as she lept to one side of the smoldering crater.

"Ow, ow, ow, ow-" Jasson said, who was facing backward.

"Sorry," Clara said, "Petra, can't you heal him yet?"

"You've got me facing the wrong way!" Petra said, "I can't get to his shoulder-"

"Incoming!" Scott cried and Clara lurched to the side, narrowly dodging a giant fireball.

Boom!

"Dang," Jasson whistled, "That's an impressive pursuit. Wish your cages had lasted longer Scott."

No Charon, Jasson thought, not sure if that's a good sign or if he only 'walks with the dead' not 'runs with the dead.'

"What was I supposed to do?" Scott said, "Apparently, Clout's right-hand man is a brilliant fire mage. Burned them all like candles, way faster than I could grow them. I'm not at full strength today, remember?"

"No," Jasson said, squinting up at floating figures, "Are those flying scouts? Is that how they're aiming so well for us?"

Another fireball erupted on the mountainside above them, sending rubble crumbling to the ground. Jasson could hear the sound of pursuit on foot behind them shout in alarm at the mini rockslide.

"Hold on," Petra said, "I'm gonna block the route."

"Don't do that!" Scott said, "This path was hard enough for us teenagers."

"Wait," Jasson said, "you're a teenage- incoming!"

Boom!

"Yeah," Scott said, "Nineteen this year."

"I thought you spent years traveling out East?!" Jasson said.

"Yeah," Scott said, "Teenage years. I- To the left!"

They jumped to the left and Scott continued, saying, "It's a long story…you see, when I was thirteen I decided to become abreast of the wonders of-"

"Look," Jasson said, "I'm very interested in your story but now isn't the best time for a flashback."

"Right." Scott said, jogging in silence for a few seconds before he said, "But you will ask later, right? It's…I've worked a lot on how I tell my story…I think it's pretty good…"

"In time," Petra said, "Clara?"

"We're getting close!" Clara said, "I had to make a bit of a detour, but we should be coming up on the cave from the other way around the mountain."

"I hope Harriett is still there," Jasson said, "She might have left."

"Well she certainly didn't come to help us," Petra said, "And what do you mean 'you hope she's there'? How did you get separated?"

"Accidentally, but yeah." Jasson winced from his shoulder as they slid down the mountain, "I'm sure she's reveling in 'the tragedy of losing a companion' or found something to fight like the other day."

"Petra!" Clara said, "Up ahead?"

They were approaching a more narrow path between mountains, scattered scree covering most of the way between. 

"On it!" Petra said, " Keep up Scott. In three, two, one…go!"

Clara exploded forward as Scott struggled, six-foot frame pinwheeling to keep from falling behind. Clara skidded to a stop and set Petra down in one motion. Petra raised her green Earth Crystal and the mana crystal Jasson had given her, glowing slightly. The mountain rumbled, crumbled, and tumbled into the pass behind them, crashing against their pursuers and leaving treacherous footing for the pursuit. Another fireball sailed towards them as the flying scouts were highlighted in the last glimmers of day, pursuit stalled.

"Nice Mana Crystal," Petra handed Jasson the healing crystal and motioned to his shoulder, "Get yourself fixed up, we're heading inside to look for Harriett. Stay ready to run."

Jasson turned. This place didn't look familiar but…wait. Graffiti decorated the rocks, and Jasson looked around in that trippy way when you came somewhere familiar from a different angle. So they were at the cave. So close to where he nearly died. Where this long day began.

"Thanks," Jasson pressed the healing crystal against his shoulder, "Med kit! Hey, Scott. Need any healing?"

"Nope…just…air…" Scott bent double, wheezing as the girls walked into the cave, "That was…that was quite the turn of speed. Kinda hot."

"I know, right?" Jasson pocketed the crystal. If Harriett was here then he needed to-

"Ah #$%^," Jasson jogged after Petra, "I'm going in. I forgot to ask Petra something. You got it out here?"

"I'm on my home turf," Scott stood, recuperating, "They can't beat me here. I could definitely do with a dip in the hot spring though."

"Not the question," Jasson waved, "Be careful."

Jasson stepped carefully across the ground, wishing his phone was charged. He- wait. He didn't have his phone anymore, right? That man, Clout, he'd stolen Jasson's phone before getting taken by the Fire Cat. 

Jasson tapped his pocket but found a familiar lump, safe and secure. His phone! Jasson pulled it out. It had 1% power and was missing that massive Water Crystal, but he had it! Jasson sagged with relief, stowing his phone back in his pocket. So he wasn't crazy. When he'd fallen into the water he had thrown his phone, but it reappeared back in his pocket just like this time.

The perfect ability for a phone, Jasson thought, an auto-return feature. Now…what was I doing? I have to talk to Petra about- right. Light crystal and gold.

Jasson squinted in the dim, carefully making his way through the familiar cave. He could just hear the girls ahead of him and-

"PETRAAA!!!" Harriett screamed, "You're finally heeer-"

Harriett was…sobbing? That bouncing ball of buoyant challenge was choking on throat-tearing sobs?

"It's okay," Petra's voice, gentle and surprised, "What's wrong?"

"I-I'm s-sorr-ry!" Harriet wailed, "I-I didn't know w-what to d-do! We n-need to h-hurry!! He-h-Jas-he-"

"Slow down," Petra said, "What's going on? Tell me."

Jasson crept around the corner, feeling like he was intruding as he looked down at the girls. Harriett was sobbing in Petra's arms, and Clara was hugging her from behind. Petra stroked Harriett's hair with a gentleness Jasson never thought she could possess.

"I-I-" Harriett trembled, then seemed to get ahold of herself, "I went out to check if you were here. Left him mining in the tunnel. And on my w-way back-"

A few more seconds of sobbing before Harriett said "He's gone! D-dead! Drowned in the water! There was some kind of underground river that-*hic* all I found was the earth crystal he was using. Not even his device. And bood-"

Harriett choked again, trembling as she said, "Just…gone! And I couldn't jump after him but I couldn't tunnel and so I went to the other cave. The one with the Wyverns. But you weren't there and I didn't want to miss you so I waited and waited and you n-never came! YOU NEVER CAME!!! How could you be so late?!! He needed you! He needed me! I-I couldn't do an-anything-"

If I had a nickel for every time I eavesdropped on my funeral, Jasson thought, I'd have two nickels. Which isn't a lot, but it's weird that I get to make this joke.

"It's okay," Petra hushed her, "This is Jasson you're talking about, right? It's okay, he's not dead. He's just outside the cave."

"Yes, he is!" Harriett cried, "Stop lying to try and help me! I'm not a child! I AM NOT A CHILD!!! That water was so cold and fast! He died hours ago and I've just been sitting here! Letting his body rot away, lonely in the dark."

"Umm," Petra looked to Clara, "Can you…"

"Sure sis," Clara patted Harriett on the head, "this little sister needs some hope again. I'll get him."

"No need," Jasson stepped out from the corner, "It's okay Harriett. I survived. I'm fine. Better than ever, actually. Thanks for-"

"AAEEEE!" Harriett screamed, "A ghost!! He's already haunting the place where he died!!"

Jasson froze, then smiled crookedly.

"Harriett, Harriett, Harriett," Jasson shook his head as he walked up to her, "You're too uncreative! Anyone can say "Ah! It's a g-g-ghost!" like you're some kind of pot-smoking hipster. I expect more from you! I could be the shade of guilt weighing on your mind, nothing but an illusion that keeps you up at night- pardon me, Clara."

"Go on ahead," Clara said as she stepped aside, Jasson squeezing past in the tunnel.

"I could be a revenant," Jasson put a sweaty hand on Harriett's shoulder, "A corporeal form raised for vengeance against those who failed me in life. Do you feel my cold touch, vengeance frozen over?"

Jasson squeezed Harriett's shoulder and said "Or perhaps I was never dead. Rather, some kind of god or demigod sent here to test you in your hour of pride. Maybe I'm the messenger of a great allegory about- I don't know. Staying together with your friends? Bring a pickaxe? Maybe-oof!"

Harriett snapped out of it and launched herself at Jasson in a massive hug, nearly knocking the wind out of him.

"WAAAA" Harriett wailed, no longer tearing her throat with her cries, "You're alive!! I don't know how but you're alive!!"

"That's the good news," Petra stood, idly rubbing at the tear stains on her shirt, "Jasson, you're going to tell me the rest of your story later. I need answers. But Harriett, the bad news is that we have a ton of pursuers. I was hoping we could all fit in your bag and have you sneak us out."

"I wish I could," Harriett sniffed, "But I used all my strength at the other cave. I couldn't defend you if the time comes."

"What other cave?" Petra said.

"The one with the wyverns," Harriett said, "I killed most of them while looking for you in there. I…I was afraid you were unconscious in one of the nests or torn apart in their bellies."

"Well, that wraps up our quest," Petra snorted, "But now we're out of options."

"Not really," Jasson said, pulling out his phone, "I've got us a ride. I just need that light crystal and- er…a lot of gold. He said he charges per person."

They looked at Jasson for a few seconds before Petra said "Who is going to give us a ride all the way out here? Surrounded by enemies and steps from death."

Jasson shrugged, struggling to keep a smile from his face as he said "Charon the ferryman. The escort of the dead."